At the Sochi Olympics, New York Islanders forward Michael Grabner scored five goals while representing Austria - good enough for a share of the tournament lead with Team USA sniper Phil Kessel. On Thursday, Grabner returned to NHL action and did so in rather spectacular fashion.
While the Austrians played a defense optional style, in the NHL, Grabner is a solid two-way forward and a quality penalty-killer. He proved it once again on Thursday, racking up two quick short-handed goals on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a span of less than a minute.
Grabner's first goal resulted from some excellent forechecking. He pressured Maple Leafs defender Jake Gardiner into a bad pass that was picked off by Frans Nielsen. He would feed the Austrian speedster who made no mistake on an opportunity in the slot:
Grabner's second goal was a complete gift, as he put home a Jonathan Bernier puck-handling gaffe with a single second remaining in the very same Maple Leafs power-play opportunity...
With his four-on-five offensive outburst against the Maple Leafs on Thursday, Grabner became the first player to score two short-handed goals on the same penalty in over four years:
Prior to Grabner. Last player 2SHG on same PK, was Ryan O'Reilly Feb 2/2010 vs CBJ (4min penalty)
— Kevin Gibson (@TSNResearch) February 28, 2014
